Water dispersible and flushable interlabial absorbent structure

Abstract

A flushable and dispersible interlabial absorbent structure having a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet and an absorbent core is described. The topsheet is preferably a wet laid, apertured fibrous web having a temporary wet strength resin incorporated therein. The body surface of the topsheet also has a plurality of fibrils, the fibrils are made of a water resistant resinous material. The backsheet is preferably a wet laid fibrous assembly having a temporary wet strength resin incorporated therein. The body surface of the backsheet is also preferably coated with a water resistant resinous material. The absorbent core is positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet. The topsheet and the backsheet are joined, at least about their periphery, using a water soluble adhesive. The interlabial absorbent structure also may have means for removably attaching the interlabial absorbent structure to the interior surfaces of a wearer's labia.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A water dispersible and flushable interlabial absorbent structure, said interlabial absorbent structure having a body surface at least a portion of which is in contact with the interior of the wearer's labia majora when worn, said interlabial absorbent structure comprising: a liquid pervious topsheet having a body surface;   a dispersible, liquid impervious backsheet disposed beneath said topsheet; and   an absorbent core disposed between said topsheet and said backsheet wherein said topsheet and said backsheet are joined using a water soluble adhesive in at least an area of peripheral bonding to encapsulate said absorbent core therebetween.   
     
     
       2. An absorbent structure according to claim 1 wherein said topsheet comprises a first fibrous assembly. 
     
     
       3. An absorbent structure according to claim 2 wherein said first fibrous assembly is a wet laid tissue and further comprises a wet strength resin. 
     
     
       4. An absorbent structure according to claim 3 wherein said temporary wet strength resin comprises a glyoxalated polyacrylamide resin. 
     
     
       5. An absorbent structure according to claim 2 wherein said first fibrous assembly is apertured. 
     
     
       6. An absorbent structure according to claim 2 wherein portions of said body surface of said topsheet have been provided with a first resinous material. 
     
     
       7. An absorbent structure according to claim 6 wherein said first resinous material comprises fibrils of a water resistant resinous material. 
     
     
       8. An absorbent structure according to claim 7 wherein said fibrils are provided at a density of between about 3000 fibrils per square inch and about 5000 fibrils per square inch. 
     
     
       9. An absorbent structure according to claim 6 wherein said first resinous material causes a difference in work of adhesion for water on said portions and the work of adhesion for water on the remainder of said body surface of between about 5 and about 145 ergs per square centimeter. 
     
     
       10. An absorbent structure according to claim 9 wherein said first resinous material comprises a silicone resin. 
     
     
       11. An absorbent structure according to claim 1 wherein said backsheet comprises a second fibrous assembly. 
     
     
       12. An absorbent structure according to claim 11 wherein said second fibrous assembly is a wet laid tissue and further comprises a wet strength resin. 
     
     
       13. An absorbent structure according to claim 11 wherein said second fibrous assembly has been coated on at least one surface with a second resinous material, said second resinous material causing said backsheet to become water resistant. 
     
     
       14. An absorbent structure according to claim 13 wherein said backsheet has a body surface and a garment surface and said second resinous material enables said backsheet to resist a hydrostatic head of at least about 15 cm and provides said body surface of said backsheet with a critical surface tension of greater than about 34 dynes per centimeter. 
     
     
       15. An absorbent structure according to claim 13 wherein said second resinous material is applied at a coating weight of between about 0.020 grams per square inch and about 0.25 grams per square inch. 
     
     
       16. An absorbent structure according to claim 1 wherein said topsheet comprises a first fibrous assembly and said backsheet comprises a second fibrous assembly. 
     
     
       17. An absorbent structure according to claim 16 wherein said first fibrous assembly comprises a first wet laid tissue and said second fibrous assembly comprises a second wet laid tissue. 
     
     
       18. An absorbent structure according to claim 1 wherein said absorbent core has a wet tear strength of less than about 60 grams. 
     
     
       19. An absorbent structure according to claim 1 wherein said absorbent structure delaminates into its components and said components disperse into fragments when said absorbent structure is immersed in water and the water is mildly agitated. 
     
     
       20. A water dispersible and flushable interlabial absorbent structure, said interlabial absorbent structure having a body surface at least a portion of which is in contact with the interior of the wearer's labia majora when worn, said interlabial absorbent structure comprising: a liquid pervious topsheet comprising a wet laid apertured tissue having a temporary wet strength resin incorporated therein wherein portions of a body surface of said topsheet have been provided with fibrils comprising a first resinous material;   a dispersible, liquid impervious backsheet disposed beneath said topsheet, said backsheet comprising a wet laid tissue having a temporary wet strength resin incorporated therein, said wet laid tissue being coated on at least one surface with a second resinous material wherein said second resinous material causes said backsheet to become water resistant; and   an absorbent core disposed between said topsheet and said backsheet wherein said topsheet and said backsheet are joined using a water soluble adhesive in at least an area of peripheral bonding to encapsulate said absorbent core therebetween.   
     
     
       21. An interlabial absorbent structure according to claim 20 wherein said fibrils are provided at a density of between about 3000 fibrils per square inch and about 5000 fibrils per square inch and said wet laid apertured tissue has between about 20 apertures per square inch and about 111 apertures per square inch therein. 
     
     
       22. An interlabial absorbent structure according to claim 20 wherein said second resinous material enables said backsheet to resist a hydrostatic head of at least about 15 cm and provides said body surface of said backsheet with a critical surface tension of greater than about 34 dynes per centimeter.